Tech giants have a massive global footprint, millions of users and followers, and are the creators of groundbreaking technologies like AI and cloud computing. This gives them a gladiatorial advantage over the competition and allows them to dominate specific industries.
Many of these tech giants were founded with a mission to make the world a better place, fueled by ideas that could transform production processes and improve people’s lives. Whether it was driving rapid industrialization, making it possible for companies to produce products at scale, or connecting people online, these tech giants are responsible for some of the most significant economic and social changes in modern history.
The startup stories behind the Big Five of tech — Amazon, Apple, Google (Google), Facebook (Meta), and Microsoft — are like modern-day legends. They all started in garages or dorm rooms and now shape the way we connect and innovate.
Despite the challenges, some of the biggest tech companies have continued to grow. Their success has led to increased consumer trust and a need for more regulation around data privacy and protection.
One of the main ways that big tech companies keep growing is through acquisitions. It’s not uncommon for the Big Five to buy up other agencies and startups and make them subsidiaries. For example, it’s probably common knowledge that Skype is now part of Microsoft after the company purchased the VoIP software developer in 2007. While this is an effective strategy for growth, it has also raised concerns over how these tech giants control their user’s personal information.